By Daily Sports on April 15, 2016

Fans final vision of Kobe Bryant in a purple and gold uniform was like many before as the Lakers’ legend scored a spectacular 60 points in his farewell NBA game on Wednesday.

The third-leading scorer in NBA history, hit in recent years by injuries that made too many of his final contests a struggle, completed his glorious 20-year career with the style that made him a five-time NBA champion.

The 37-year-old showed the tenacity, toughness and talent that made him one of the all-time greats in basketball history. And unlike many games this season, Bryant’s heroics helped to bring victory. The Lakers trailed the Utah Jazz for most of the night, but Bryant sparked the Lakers in the fourth quarter, rallying them single-handedly to a 101-96 win.

Bryant, who left the game with 4.1 seconds remaining, was swarmed on the court afterward by former teammates and coaches.

“I can’t believe how fast 20 years went by,” he told the Staples Center crowd after the game. Bryant thanked the Lakers’ fans, his teammates and his family.

He recalled how it was his dream to play for the Lakers, his favourite team growing up.

“You can’t write something better than this,” he said.

Bryant, who made 22-of-50 shots, laughed in his farewell speech because he’d been told for two decades to pass the ball.

On the last night, his teammates were: “Don’t pass it!”

Bryant, who Magic Johnson referred to in a pregame ceremony as the greatest Laker, finished his speech with “Mamba out,” a kiss, and a literal mic drop.

 How great was Bryant on Wednesday? He outscored the Jazz in the fourth quarter 23-21. With his team trailing with just under six minutes to go, Bryant scored 17 consecutive points for his team.

Bryant got the ball with his team down one point and 40 seconds remaining. It was a scene NBA fans have seen so many times before. Bryant dribbled the ball up court, surveyed the defence, headed to his left then reversed course to use a screen. With his man respecting Bryant’s ability to drive, the legend pulled up from just inside the 3-point line with 31 seconds remaining.

As soon as the ball left his shooting hand he knew it, the Jazz knew it, 19,000 Lakers fans knew it and the growing TV audience knew it.

Quintessential Kobe. He knocked it down. Another game-winner for a highlight reel full of mesmerising moments.

Hot ticket

Most remaining tickets for the game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles were selling for four figures on reseller StubHub, according to a spokesman for the company. One ticket was listed for $27,500, Kevin Burke said in an email.

Outside the arena, festive fans chanted, “Ko-be! Ko-be!”

One fan, who with his two buddies paid $4,200 for three $34 tickets, told CNN they came from Oregon to watch the final game.

“He’s the greatest of our generation,” he said. “He’s been a great inspiration for all of us.”

Bryant announced this season would be his last in a poignant letter written in the form of a poem on The Players’ Tribune in November.

“This season is all I have left to give,” he wrote in “Dear Basketball.” “My heart can take the pounding. My mind can handle the grind. But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.

“And that’s OK. I’m ready to let you go.”

•Excerpted from a CNN report. Photo shows basketball legend Kobe Bryant.

Source Daily Sports

Posted April 15, 2016

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